This unusual name is locational and derives from a now (apparently) lost medieval village called Mouldham or Moldham whose site cannot be identified but is believed to have been in the Midlands. The origin in Olde English pre 7th Century, the elements being 'Molda' translating as 'the hill top' and 'ham', a farm or homestead. There are a number of modern spelling alternatives, the name recording and development includes Margarett Mowlam, baptised at St. Dunstans Church, Stepney on July 7th 1656 whilst in 1815 Joseph Mowlam and Sarah Waren at St. Mary's Church, Portsen. In 1837 Robert Mowlem, with the changed spelling, married a Mary Musselwhite at the same church. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Mowlom, which was dated 1597, a witness on September 1st at St. Margarets, Westminister, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Good Queen Bess, 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.